Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Kareem Huggins (knee) had complete reconstructive knee surgery, and he might not be an NFL caliber running after the injury, reports Roy Cummings, of The Tampa Tribune. The feeling is that if the Buccaneers draft a running back early, they might not be confident Huggins will return, and they might also fear losing RB Cadillac Williams to free agency. If they draft an RB late, or not at all, that might mean confidence is high that Huggins will be back at a high level.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Kareem Huggins (knee) is facing a very difficult rehab after a severe knee injury November 17, reports Scott Reynolds, of PewterReport.com. Huggins was not tendered, and the team wants to see him completely healthy before offering him a new contract.

Updating a previous report, Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Kareem Huggins' (knee) knee injury appears to be a serious injury, reports Stephen Holder, of the St. Petersburg Times. Word out of the locker room is that the injury may include torn ligaments.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris said free-agent RB Derrick Ward (Buccaneers) was not part of the team's long-term plans since RB Cadillac Williams is healthy and FB Earnest Graham will be a bigger part of the offense, report Wolf Heard and Charlie Campbell, of PewterReport.com. Morris said, "It's more about the resurgence of Mr. Cadillac, Mr. insurance Graham, where the team is heading and where we're going, our plan and direction, and how we want to go about our business. No decision is made lightly around here. It was just time to make it today." Morris added, "Right now, we have Cadillac who we are happy to have and also we have insurance Graham back there playing fullback for us and he is able to carry the ball as well. And also we have our little spark-plug in Huggy (RB Kareem Huggins) and he is able to come in and provide a different look for us and different turn around."

With the emergence of Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Kareem Huggins as a candidate for the team's No. 2 running back spot, RB Derrick Ward may need a strong showing in the team's next preseason game to keep a roster spot, according to Ira Kaufman, of The Tampa Tribune. "That decision could take its time," Morris said. "Obviously, Huggy has looked impressive the last couple of weeks. Derrick knows what he needs to do. He has to go out there, he has to get it done and you'd better do it fast. In 2009, we weren't a very good football team. We all struggled. He (Ward) wasn't able to get the holes he wanted, but whatever the reasons were, they really don't matter. It's your job to go out there and get it done. You've only got one chance to do this thing, myself included."

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers likely will use RB Kareem Huggins by at least the second quarter of the team's preseason game Saturday, Aug. 21, reports Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times. The Buccaneers have been impressed with Huggins' speed and big-play ability but want to see how he does against better competition with the starting offensive line.

Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Sammie Stroughter (back) was limited in practice Friday, Dec. 11, after sustaining a back injury during practice Thursday, Dec. 10. He is listed as questionable for Week 14. WRs Yamon Figurs and RB Kareem Huggins would be asked to return kicks and punts if Stroughter is unable to play.

J.J. Pesavento, of Next Level Scouting, reports University of Hofstra RB Kareem Huggins measured a height of 5-foot-8 7/8 and a weight of 195 pounds at his Pro Day. He ran the 4-yard dash in 4.34- to 4.41-second range and measured a 41 1/2-inch vertical jump.